From Customer to CEO: Carl Comeaux on Growing Crust Pizza Company the Right Way
Crust Pizza Company didn’t start with a master plan to franchise—it started with two childhood friends and a love for great pizza. But when Carl Comeaux discovered the brand as a customer, everything changed. Drawn in by the quality, the ambiance, and the family-friendly vibe, Carl saw potential others hadn’t fully tapped into. Fast forward a few years, and he’s now the CEO leading Crust Pizza’s growth throughout Texas and Louisiana.
In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, Carl shares how his background in franchising and tech helped take a beloved local concept and build it into a scalable model. By trimming the menu, streamlining the systems, and implementing EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), the Crust team created a franchise-ready business that maintains its soul while staying operationally efficient.
Crust’s strategy? Go slow and smart. Rather than scatter franchise locations across the country, Carl and his partners focus on regional dominance—keeping stores clustered to build brand awareness and operational support. They’ve already built a network of 26 franchise units and 7 corporate stores, with plans for more growth across the Southeast.
What makes Crust stand out isn’t just the pizza—it’s the experience. From plush booths and playgrounds to community fundraisers and spirit nights, franchisees are encouraged to become “local mayors” of their markets. The result? High-performing stores and strong customer loyalty.
For aspiring franchisees who want to own a meaningful business rooted in quality, community, and proven systems, Crust Pizza might just be the opportunity worth saying yes to.
June 15, 2025
